Shenton College Digital Technologies teacher Rachel Farnay with Year 9 students William Scullard, Sophie Pavicic and William Combs.
Camera IconShenton College Digital Technologies teacher Rachel Farnay with Year 9 students William Scullard, Sophie Pavicic and William Combs. Credit: Supplied/Megan Powell/The West Australian

Bright young minds set to transform workforce of tomorrow

Staff WriterWestern Suburbs Weekly

STUDENTS from Shenton College are set to see how some of the world’s biggest companies are using technology to transform workforces of tomorrow.

The year 9 class is just one of many WA school groups lining up to experience the two-day Resources Technology Showcase next month.

Digital Technologies teacher Rachel Farnay said the showcase would allow students to “get hands-on and up-close” to the technology innovations driving the resources industry.

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“I want our year 9 students to meet the brains behind the world-leading technology being developed in our own backyard,” Ms Farnay said. “By exposing our students to career opportunities within the technologies industry they will see the relevance of their digital technology skills, encouraging them to choose the subject in senior school.”

The group of 20 students are part of Shenton College’s Code Planet course, which focuses on computer science skills such as programming, data analysis and management. They are currently designing a computer network and its security.

Shenton College Digital Technologies teacher Rachel Farnay with Year 9 students William Combs and Sophie Pavicic. Megan Powell/The West Australian
Camera IconShenton College Digital Technologies teacher Rachel Farnay with Year 9 students William Combs and Sophie Pavicic. Megan Powell/The West Australian Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Ms Farnay said it was essential students were exposed to all the technologies being used in WA.

“These technologies are what will be driving the workforce in the future,” she said. “They need to know there are incredible opportunities to be a world leader within WA’s own resources industry.

“These students will have the choice to go anywhere, so it’s really important we attract our brightest minds to work here in our State.”

But the chance to interact with the showcase doesn’t end there. All WA schools are being offered to opportunity to take part through BHP’s Future Ready STEM Challenge, which is set to kick off on November 4 and offers winners the chance to scoop part of the massive $100,000 prize pot.

Schools can select from a number of different challenges which are linked to the mining and energy industries and the competition is designed to ensure it is accessible to students of different levels of ability and schools with different levels of resourcing as well as work in concert with curriculums.

Teachers can visit thewest.com.au/bhpfutureready to download a teacher’s resource pack from November 4 and groups have until December 2 to enter the competition.

The Resources Technology Showcase will be held on November 27-28 at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre. Visit https://rtsperth.com/ for more details.